These tests compare eye sharpness, out of focus background blur (bokeh)
and out of focus diaphram light patterns among several Nikon lenses with a
Nikon D80 camera. To review lens characteristics, look at the f/8 images
that show the maximum mannequin and background detail. Then look at images
taken at wider-aperture to compare lens sharpness and bokeh as aperture is
opened to f/1.4. Canon lens tests are included below as reference.

I use Nikon cameras for scientific medical photography at work and
upgraded my D100 with a D80. I normally shoot portraits with full-frame
Canon gear (e.g., EOS-1Ds). However, I occasionally use the Nikon for
impromtu candid style portraits at work and tested some readily available
lenses.

All images are full frame from RAW files converted with Phase One
Capture One 1 Pro v 3.7.6 with slight unsharp mask applied in Photoshop.
Cameras/lens combinations were all shot on tripod with aperture priority
with custom white balance off the grey card. Lighting is from a bounced
tungsten modeling light off a angled wall behind camera, and a modeling
light is on the background. The mannequin's right eye is the focus point.

Conclusions: Draw your own conclusions depending on your
shooting preferences. My summary of lens performance is at the bottom of
the page.

f/1.4 or f/1.8

f/2

f/2.8

f/4 or f/4.5

f/5.6

f/8

85mm f/1.4 D AF

f/1.4

f/2

f/2.8

f/4

f/5.6

f/8

50mm f/1.8 AF

f/1.8

f/2

f/2.8

f/4

f/5.6

f/8

28-70mm f/2.8 D AF-S @50mm

f/2.8

f/4

f/5.6

f/8

60mm f/2.8 D AF micro

f/2.8

f/4

f/5.6

f/8

80-200mm f/2.8 D AF @ 80mm

f/2.8

f/4

f/5.6

f/8

80-200mm f/2.8 D AF @ 200mm

f/2.8

f/4

f/5.6

f/8

180mm f/2.8 D AF

f/2.8

f/4

f/5.6

f/8

18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 G DX AF @
50mm

f/4.5

f/5.6

f/8

Comparison of Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 on 1.5x format D80 and Canon EF 85mm
f/1.2L on Full-Frame EOS-1Ds Mark IIThe full-frame Canon camera
with the EF 85mm f/1.2L lens gives the most diffuse out of focus
background blur (best bokeh). The Canon full frame camera allows a shorter
working distance than the 85mm Nikon lens. Standard setting camera color
and tone is more vivid and contrasty out of the consumer grade Nikon D80
than the Canon EOS-1Ds mk II. The greater working distance of the Nikkor
85mm lens on a 1.5x format camera allows greater use of the lens at f/1.4
for portraits than the Canon 85 L. At f/1.4 with the Nikkor, all of the
face shot parallel to the sensor plane is in focus (assuming a short
nose). With the full-frame Canon camera, the 85L shot at a closer working
distance puts both eyes in focus at f/1.4, but the nose and lips are
outside the plane of focus.

f/1.2

f/1.4

f/2

f/2.8

f/4

f/5.6

f/8

Nikon D80 and 85mm f/1.4 D AFISO
400 Standard sRGB Color Output

f/1.4

f/2

f/2.8

f/4

f/5.6

f/8

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark IIand EF 85mm
f/1.2L IIISO 800 Standard sRGB Color

f/1.2

f/1.4

f/2

f/2.8

f/4

f/5.6

f/8

Comparison of Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 on 1.5x format D80 and Canon EF 50mm
f/1.8 on 1.6x format 20DThe more expensive and better built
(metal mount) Nikon 50mm f/1.8 produces more diffuse background blur than
the Canon 50mm f/1.8. Note the 7-blade diaphragm out of focus light
pattern with the Nikkor lens at f/2.8 and f/4 and the 5-blade out of focus
light diaphragm pattern with the Canon lens. Both lenses are good
light-weight, compact portrait performers at f/2.8.

f/1.8

f/2

f/2.8

f/4 or f/4.5

f/5.6

f/8

Nikon D80 and 50mm f/1.8 AF

f/1.8

f/2

f/2.8

f/4

f/5.6

f/8

Canon 20D and EF 50mm f/1.8

f/1.8

f/2

f/2.8

f/4

f/5.6

f/8

Summary of Findings with Nikkor Portrait Lenses Tested

85mm f/1.4 D AF:

This wide-aperture lens produced the best bokeh and gave sharp
eye detail through all apertures tested.

The film equivalent perspective on the D80 is 128mm.

The greater working distance for portraits on 1.5x cameras lets
you open the lens to f/2 and f/1.4 and still capture in-focus face
detail.

50mm f/1.8 D AF:

Best if stopped down to f/2.8 for sharp eye detail

The film equivalent perspective on the D80 is 75mm

Inexpensive, small and light weight. The sample I tested was a
new lens made in China and sold by Nikon USA.

This is the only Nikkor lens tested that produced obvious out of
focus background light aperture diaphragm patterns (7 blade pattern
at f/2.8).

60mm f/2.8 D AF:

Sharp at f/2.8 and good blurring of background

28-70mm f/2.8 D AF-S @ 50mm

Sharp at f/2.8 and good blurring of background

80-200mm f/2.8 D AF

At 80mm: Acceptable eye sharpness at f/2.8 with improved
performance at f/4

At 200mm: Soft eye detail at f/2.8 which improves slightly at
f/4. Performance stopped down is still disappointing to me.

180mm f/2.8 D AF

Acceptable eye sharpness at f/2.8 with excellent performance at
f/4

Performance of the 180mm lens is considerably better at a
lighter weight and with a smaller, less-conspicuous profile than
that of the 80-200mm near the 200mm range .

18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 G DX AF @ 50mm

This 4x zoom is a very good performer at f/8 and f/11 in
non-portrait applications

The need to stop down the lens to f/8 for eye sharpness and
associated limited background blurring function make it a more
challenging tool for candid portraits.